Early voting for presidential elections in Turkmenistan started on Wednesday. The voting is held daily from 08:00 to 18:00, the Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan announces.
In accordance with Article 73 of the Electoral Code of Turkmenistan, voters who are not able to be at their place of residence on election day have the right to vote early. Early voting is conducted at polling stations and begins ten days before the election day.
A total of 2,618 polling stations have been set up for the presidential elections, including 364 in Ahal province, 272 in Balkan province, 523 in Dashoguz province, 559 in Lebap province, 549 in Mary province and 310 in Ashgabat. The country's diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad have set up 41 polling stations for voting.
The early voting is first of all intended for citizens going on long business trips or vacation, as well as for persons who on election day, March 12, for whatever reason will not be able to vote at their polling station.
The Central Election Commission added that the mission of observers of the Commonwealth of Independent States continues to monitor the election campaign. International observers have already visited various polling stations in Ashgabat and got acquainted with their equipment, with the composition of election commissions, as well as with the process of early voting.
The Central Election Commission of Turkmenistan has registered nine candidates for the highest state post of Turkmenistan since the start of presidential election campaign on February 14. The presidential candidates are presently meeting with voters in provinces of the country.
